The Phoenix Suns are at a crossroads as the 2025 season winds down, sitting at a dismal 32-37 and clinging to 11th place in the Western Conference. With a trio of Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, and Kevin Durant that’s failed to gel, the Suns are facing a tough call: run it back or blow it up. If they can’t turn things around and make a deep playoff run, whispers around the league suggest one of their stars could be on the move—and Kevin Durant to the San Antonio Spurs might just be the perfect fit. This isn’t a report, but a prediction that’s got fans buzzing about what could be next for the Slim Reaper.
Durant, who’ll turn 37 this fall, isn’t getting any younger, and he’s not here to wait around for a team that can’t get it together. The Suns’ core has been a disappointment, with Beal, Booker, and Durant eating up a massive chunk of the cap—$151 million combined this season, per Spotrac—leaving little room for game-changing additions. Firing head coach Mike Budenholzer has been floated, but that won’t fix a roster that’s fundamentally broken. Phoenix needs a reset, and trading Durant could bring the haul they need to rebuild around Booker. Enter the Spurs, who’ve got the assets and the vision to make this work.
Here’s the proposed deal: the Suns would get guard Devin Vassell, forward Keldon Johnson, and two first-round picks, while the Spurs land Durant. For Phoenix, it’s a solid return—Vassell, a 24-year-old sharpshooter averaging 19.2 points last season, gives them a young stud to pair with Booker, and Johnson, a 25-year-old forward, adds depth. The picks sweeten the pot for a team that’s been starved for draft capital. The only hitch? The Suns might hold out for a prospect like Stephon Castle, but San Antonio’s unlikely to part with their 2024 lottery pick. Still, this package lets Phoenix move on from a partnership that was supposed to deliver a ring but hasn’t come close.
For the Spurs, adding Durant to a core that already includes De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama is a no-brainer. San Antonio pulled off a steal this offseason, landing Fox without giving up key pieces like Vassell, Johnson, or Jeremy Sochan. If Wembanyama is back to 100% by playoff time after his injury-plagued 2024, pairing him with Durant’s scoring (27.1 points per game last season) and Fox’s playmaking (7.8 assists per game) could make the Spurs instant contenders. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move for a team that’s already trending up under Gregg Popovich.
Funnily enough, the Suns and Spurs played a game at the University of Texas this season—where Durant balled out in college—and while it wasn’t a recruiting pitch, it felt like a cosmic nudge. The Spurs have the pieces to make a deal happen, and Durant’s championship pedigree could be the final touch for a roster on the cusp. For Phoenix, it’s time to face reality: this core isn’t winning a title, and trading Durant for a haul lets them pivot to a brighter future. If the Suns’ slide continues, don’t be surprised if this prediction becomes reality by the trade deadline.
